Notes: On the Interpretation of the Eyes in the Illustration

Note the closed eyes of the woman wearing the hat, making the wide-open eyes of the others more startling and more powerful.

Could her closed eyes be indicative of her unwillingness to see the cruelty or the silliness of what she is wearing?

How might our focus of attention change if the eyes of the larger foregrounded women were open?

  • what if she were looking out at the viewer?
  • what if she were looking up toward the bird?
  • what if she were looking back toward the other women?

    • Could her closed eyes be indicative of her unwillingness to see the cruelty or the silliness of what she is wearing?

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    Created September 25, 1998 Last Reviewed and Updated October 12, 1998